Engine starter



R. P. LANSING ENGINE STARTER Sept. 9, 1930.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 6, 1925 a w M N mm a n 7 H t P T g m Sept. 9, 1930. R. P. LANSING v E INGINE STARTER 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 Filed July 6, 1925 Patented Sep :1930

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

RAYMOND P. LANSING, 'OF MONTC'LAIR, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR 'IO ECLIPSE MACHINE COMPANY, OF ELMIRA, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK ENGINE s'ran'rnn,

' Application filed Jul ,6,

larly by the provision of a drive or transmission between the source of power, whether it be a motor or manually operated means, and

, a member of the engine to be started in combination and cooperation with an inertia device which is rotated up to a high speed and the inertia of such device then utilized for the cranking of the engine. My drive or transmission includes a driving member which is normally disengaged from the engine member but which is capable of advancement or shifting movement into engagement with such engine member and in the specific'construction in which I have chosen to embody my invention such driving member normally tends to automatically advance into engagement with the engine mem-,

ber whenever the drive or transmission is operated, but is restrained therefrom in an automatic manner by means which constitutes the novel feature of my present invention. These automatic means are capable of controlling the advancement of the driving member into engagement with the engine member at a predetermined time in the operation of the apparatus and in practice and in the particular embodiment herein shown such engagement is permitted by the automatic means when a predetermined speed of rotation of the inertia device is reached.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a starting apparatus embodyin my invention; Fig. 2 an end elevation part y in section of such apparatus; and Fig. 3 a section on the line 33 of Fig. l.

Referring to the particular embodiment of my invention as herein shown for the urposes of a clear and definite description 0 my invention, the particular construction of drive or transmission and also the particular construction of the reduction gearing between the starting means and the driving present instance is the "time that the inertia member of the transmission are immaterial 1925. Serial No. 41,825;

with respect to my invention and therefore any suitable transmission or reduction gearing may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and claims. However, I prefer to employ the par,- ticular transmission and reduction gearing shown in Fig. 1 as suitableand practicable.

First describing the drive or transmission the same is located within a main casing 1 within whose bushing 2 there rotates a barrel 3 and a shell 4 concentrically arranged'therewithin and providing a considerable annular.

space between them to receive a yieldable' driving connection which is here in the form of a friction clutch ,5. The sets of clutch plates are splined respectively to the interior of the barrel and the exterior of the shell. The propergpressure is provided for the plates by springs 6 located in such annularspace and such pressure is regulated by the adjustable nut 7. Within the shell 4: there is mounted a screw shaft 8 having long lead threads 9 which are threaded to the internally threaded or nut portion 10 of the shell. This shaft is provided at its outer end with a driving member which is here in the form of a splined member orpart 11 adapted when moved. longitudinally to engage a rotatable member of the engine to be started which latter member is here the crank shaft 12 provided with internal splines;

Either the barrel or the shell or both may be considered a rotatable member and the torque of their rotation is adapted to be transmitted through the screw shaft and driving member to the engine when the driving member is in engagement therewith. When the barrel is rotated, such rotation is imparted to. the shell 4 through the clutch so that by reason of the threaded connection between such shell and shaft, the latter tends to move outwardly, that is to the left in Fig. 1 and the splined portion thereof tends to be engaged with the engine member but such automatic longitudinal movement or advancement of the driving member is restrained in automati'c'manner as hereinafter described until a predetermined time which in the d vice reachesa predetermined speed Assuming that the driving member has now en-- gaged'the engine member the torque will be transmitted from the drive or transmission to the engine member and the engine will thereupon be cranked. When the engine starts on its own power, the screw shaft is automatically demeshed from the engine member and restored to the normal position shown in Fig. 1, at which time the abutment nut 13 contacts the face 14 of the main drive wheel 15 of the apparatus.

Next describing the reduction gearing which is here of the planetary type, the same, in practice and as herein shown has a reduction of 23 to 1, that is that it is necessary to revolve the main gear 16 thereof twenty-three times in order to revolve once the main drive wheel 15 of the transmission. This gear 16 is provided with a hub 17 in which is a bushing 18 and which is free to rotate on a sleeve 19. This sleeveis mounted at its right hand end in the cover plate 20, through-a ball bear-j ing, and at its left hand end the same is splined tothehub of the gear 15. The planetary gear assembly comprises, in addition to the gear 16, a set of preferably three planetary gear units, each of which consists of a hub 23 havinga gear 24 cut thereon at one endand a gear 25 at the other end, the number of teeth of gear 24 being less than that of gear 25. Three equi-distant openings are preferably provided in the web of gear 16, through each of which extends one of such units.

' Each unit is mounted in place by means of a bolt 26 passing transversely through parallel spider plates 27 and 28. These plates are spaced apart by bolts 29 and collars 30. The

set of gears 25 cooperates with a stationary internal gear 31 secured to the cover plate 20 and preferably having a somewhat greater number of teeth than the gear 15.

so" that when the motor is energized, the

torquewill be transmitted through the planetary gearing and through the drive or transmission to. the engine when such drive is operatively connected therewith in the manner hereinafter explained.

Referring to the inertia means, the main casing is provided on one side with an open ing over which is placed an extensioncasing 41 and a plate 42, the same being secured to the main casing by screws 43. This plate is provided centrally with a ball bearing 44 and the outer wall of casing 41 is provided with a similar bearing 45. In these bearings is journaled a shaft 46 to which is splined a flywheel 47 and which-is provided at its inher end with a bevel pinion-48 meshing with 4 the large bevel gear 16 whereby when the stance When the electric motor is energized,-

all of the mechanism described will be put into rotation including the flywheel 47 and when a sufficient speed of flywheel has been obtained the driving member which is automatically controlled in the manner hereinafter described is permitted to engage the engine member whereuponthe energy stored ,up in the flywheel and connecting parts is applied to the engine for the purpose of crankingthe same. The automatic controlling means comprise the following parts:

The screw shaft 8 is extended at its right hand end to form a solenoid plunger 57 which extends through the sleeve l9'and therebeyond and into the cylindrical extension 58 of the cover plate 20. Within this extension 58 there is located a main solenoid 59 surrounding the plunger 57. This main solenoid serves to restrain the driving member from its tendency toengage the engine member when the transmission is operated and it so acts on the driving member until a predetermined time which in the present instance is when the inertia device has reached a certain predetermined speed. A secondary solenoid 60 also cooperates with the plunger 57 and serves to prevent rotation of the plunger and consequently of the screw shaft when its ac tion is not prevented or overcome bythe main solenoid whose effect is superior in the initial period of the operation and until the inertia device has reached such predetermined speed. i The circuit connections of the motor, the two solenoids and the battery and the starting switch are as follows: The usual stor- Qage'battery 61 is connected on one side to the ground or frame of the machine and on the other to a terminal of a switch 62 through a conductor 63. From the other terminal of the switch there leads two conductors, one,

of which 64 leads through the motor 38 and thence by conductor 65 to one terminal of the solenoid 59, the other terminal of which is connected. to the ground by the conductor 66. This main solenoid is therefof'e in series with the motor, battery and switch. The other conductor 67 leading from the switch is connected to one terminal of the secondary sole noid 60, the other terminal being connected by the conductor 68 to ground. This secondary solenoid is therefore connected across the terminals of the battery when the switch is closed. It is therefore evident that when the switch is closed the secondary solenoid is subjected to a substantially constant potential whereas the main solenoid is subjected to the variations of the motor current.

v The secondary solenoid 60 is slidably mounted upon its core 69 which is stationary inasmuch as'it is secured at one end tothe flange 70 of the cylindrical extension 58 with the result that when this solenoid is energized its windings and its frame 71 shift 1911}- plate 73 a friction plate 74: which has a central bore that is splined to the plunger 57.

The plate 7 3 has a central opening for the plunger 57 and also a small hole at one side whereby the same is fitted over the reduced Y diameter of thecore 69. Consequently when the solenoid is energized frictionalresistance is applied through the friction plates to the plunger 57 and the screw shaft is thereby prevented from rotation'when permitted by themain solenoid.

' Describing a cycle of operation of the apparatus, when the motor is energized by the operation of the switch 62 both solenoids are connected with the battery'and the motor is rotated thereby operating the reduction gearing and the transmission or drive. When the transmission is operated the screw shaft automatically tends toadvance into engagement with the engine member due to'its threaded connection with a rotatablejmember of the transmission such as theshell 4 but such longitudinal movement is prevented by the action of the main solenoid which magnetically holds the'screw shaft longitudinally in its retracted or normal position although at such time the screw shaft is rotating. At this time the secondary solenoid 60 is alsoacting but its effect is overcome by -the superior effect of the main solenoid and consequently the friction plate 74 will slip between the other two friction plates'72 and 73. By reason of its inherent characteristics this motor which is a series motor accelerates very rapidly and as it accelerates it generates a gradually increasing counter electro-motive which counteracts the impressed voltage from the battery thus gradually cutting down the current flow through the armature and consequently through the There-.

winding of the main solenoid 59.

, fore the magnetic elfect of this latter solenoid will be uniformly decreased and at a certain time corresponding to a certain predetermined speed of the inertia device and motor, such solenoid will no longer overcome the secondary solenoid whose effect will thereupon be sufiicient to clamp the friction plate 74 to prevent rotation of the plunger 57 and its screw shaft. As a result thescrew shaft will. then automatically advance into mesh with the engine member and the energy stored up in the inertia device and the connectmg parts will be utilized to crank the engine. The two solenoids are so designed and have such a relation thatthe over-powering efiect of the main solenoid is reduced and the secondary solenoid becomes effective at a certain predetermined time which in the present instance is a certain predetermined speed of motor armature or of the inertia device. The

with the driving member still in engagementwith the engine member, such driving member will be automatically withdrawn from such engagement immediately upon the operation of the starter switch for the next operation, whereupon the mainsolenoid will ber of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for driving such driving member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member, automatic means exerting a force tendingto advance said driving member, andautomatic means exerting a varying opposing force restraining the advancement of said driving member into engagement with the engine mem ber until a predetermined time in the operation of the apparatus. l

2. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted for advancement to engage and rotation to crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for mechanically advancing and rotating such driving member, an inertia device .cooperating With said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said '85 be energized and 1ts plunger and consequent- V rotatable member, and automatic means for controlling the advancement of said driving member into engagement with the engine member when a predetermined speed of rotation of the inertia device is reached.

3. An engine startlng apparatus including adriving member adapted to engage and advance said driving member, and electri cally' controlled means for controlling the advancement of said driving member into engagement with the engine member.

tatable member including an electric motor,-

' means receiving power from said-motor for advancing said driving member and means controlled by the speed of the motor for restraining the advancement of said driving member into engagement with the engine member.

5. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for actuating such driving member and tending by' its rotation to advance said driving member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member including an electric motor, and means controlled by variations in the current passed through the motor for con-- trolling the advancement of said driving member into engagement with the engine member.

6. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started,

a rotatable member for crankingly actuating such driving member, an'inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member including an electric motor, means receiving power from said motor for advancing said driving member, and means con- "trolled by the counterelectromotive force of a rotatable member for actuating such driving member to engage and to crank said engine-member, an 1nert1a device cooperating.

with said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member including an electric motor, and a solenoid acting on said driving member for controlling the same with respect to its engagement withthe engine member after" the actuation of the inertia device, and itself controlled by variations in the current passed through the motor. I

8. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted for advancement to engage and rotation to crank a inember ofthe engine to be started, a rotatable member for crankingly actuating such driving member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for .driving said device and said rotatable member ineluding an electric motor, means receiving power from said motor tending to advance said driving member and a solenoid acting on said driving member for controllin the same with respect to its engagement wit the with said rotatable member, means for driving saiddevice and said rotatable member includingan electric motor, means exerting a force tending to automatically advance said driving member axially, and a solenoid exerting a varying opposing force on said driving member for restraining the same with respect to its engagement with the engine member until after the actuation of the inertia device, and arranged in the motor circuit.

10. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for actuating such driving member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member,

- said driving member when operated tending to advance into engagement with the engine member, and means acting on the driving member to restrain such advancement thereof until a predetermined time in the operation of the apparatus after the actuation of the inertia device.

11. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for actuating such driving member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member, said driving member being threaded to the rotatable member whereby when the latter member is operated the driving member tends to advance into engagement with the engine member, and means for restraining such advancement until a predetermined time in the operation of the apparatusafter the actuation of the inertia device.

12. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for actuating such driving member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member, and a solenoid acting on said driving member and initially preventing advancement thereof into engagement with the engine member, and acting to withdraw the driving member from such engagement in the event that the rotatable member for actuating such driving member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for driving.

said device and said rotatable member, and a main solenoid and a secondary solenoid acting upon said driving member and having a resultant efil'ect thereupon which varies 1nversely with the current through the main solenoid.

14. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for actuating such driving member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member, and a solenoid acting on said driving member for controlling the same with respect to its engagement with the engine member after the actuation of the inertia device, said driving member having an extension forming the plunger of the solenoid.

15. An engine startmg apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for actuating such driving member, an inertia device cooperating wit said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member, a solenoid acting on said driving member for controlling the same with respect to its engage ment with the engine member after the actuation of the inertia device, said driving a member having an extension forming the movable plunger of the solenoid, and means tending to prevent rotation of such plunger.

16. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for actuating such driving member, an inertia'device cooperatin with said rotatable member, means for riving said device and said rotatable member, a solenoid acting on said drlving member for con-' trolling the same with respect to, its engage:-

ment with the engine member, said driving member having an extension forming the movable plunger of the solenoid, and a second solenoid tending to prevent rotation of such plunger.

17 An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a

rotatable member for actuating such driving member, .an inertia device cooperatin with said rotatable member, means for 'ving said device and said rotatable member, a solenoid acting on said driving member for controlling the same with respect to-it's engagement .with the engine member, said driving member having an extension forming the movable plunger of the solenoid, friction means acting on, the plunger tending to pre vent rotation thereof, and a second solenoid controlling such friction means.

18. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for actuating such driving member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member, a solenoid acting on said driving member for controlling the same with respect to'its engagement with the engine member, said driving member having an extension forming the movable plunger of the solenoid, friction plates operatively connected with the plungerpermitting its longitudinal movement butng member having an extension forming the movable plunger of the solenoid, friction plates operatively connected with the plunger permitting its longitudinal movement but tending to prevent its rotation, and a second solenoid including a stationary core and a movable frame to which one of such plates is attached, whereby when such second solenoid is engaged the frictional resistance will be applied to such plates.

20. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of 'the engine to be started, means for actuating such driving member including an inertia device and reduction gearing, the latter including a rotatable sleeve which is in axial alinement with the driving member, such driving member having an extension which passes through the sleeve and projects therebeyond, and a solenoid which surrounds such projecting end of the extension, the latter acting as a solenoid plunger.

21. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for actuating such driving member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for dr ving tween the battery and the motor and the two solenoids, the main solenoid being connected in series with the motor'and the secondary solenoid being connected across the terminals of the battery.

22. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted to engage and crank a member of the engine to be started, a rotatable member for actuating such driv- 10 ing member, an inertia device cooperating with said rotatable member, means for driving said device and said rotatable member, including an electric motor, a main solenoid and a secondary solenoid acting upon said driving member to control its operation, a

storage battery, electrical connections between the battery and the motor and the two solenoids, the main solenoid being connected in series' with the motor and the secondary solenoid being connected across'the terminals of the batteries, and a switch arranged to simultaneously connect both solenoids with the battery. v

. 23. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted for advancement to engage and rotation to crank a member of an engine to be started, an inertia device operatively connected with said driving member to rotate it, a motor drivingly connected to said inertia device, means receiving power from said motor tending to aut0mati cally advance said driving member to engineengaging position, and means for restraining advancement of said driving member until predetermined speed of rotation of the inertia device is reached.

24. An engine starting apparatus including a driving member adapted for longitudinal advancement to engage and rotation to 40 crank amember of an engine to be started, an inertia device, a starting motor drivingly connected with said inertia device to rotate it, rotation-transmitting connections between said inertia device and said driving member including reduction gearing, means exertin" a force tending during the rotationof sai motor to advance said driving member to engine-engaging position, and means for exerting a varying opposing force for restraining advancement of said driving member until predetermined speed of rotation of the inertia device is reached.

RAYMOND P. LANSING. 

